Lionel Messi is having no issue getting settled with Inter Miami CF. During his MLS regular season debut against Atlanta United on Tuesday, Messi scored a first-half brace in 22 minutes. Inter Miami won 4-0.
Messi has now scored three goals in two appearances for Inter Miami, with his first coming as a substitute in the Leagues Cup. Messi started and wore the captain's armband for Inter Miami on Tuesday.
Messi's first goal started with a well-timed lobbed through ball from his former FC Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets. Messi didn't connect on his first attempt, hitting the right post, but he grabbed the rebound to open his MLS account and give Inter Miami the lead in the 8th minute.
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 25, 2023
Leo Messi scores his second for @InterMiamiCF in as many games! pic.twitter.com/e3RVVpWTlT
Messi's second goal came a little over 10 minutes later in the 22nd minute. Messi passed the ball out wide to his new teammate Robert Taylor and made a run toward the box. Inter Miami's star striker Josef Martinez drew the defense towards goal, so Messi had tons of space to get the ball back from Taylor and score.
GO OFF, LEO MESSI.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 26, 2023
A 20-minute brace for @InterMiamiCF's star man. pic.twitter.com/vzrDobOFRc
Messi has now scored against 100 different opponents in his senior career, according to Opta Sports.
100 - With his goal against Atlanta United, Lionel Messi has scored against 100 different opponents in his senior club career. Adding. pic.twitter.com/LjZ7bDX2Lu
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) July 25, 2023
Taylor made it 3-0 with a goal before halftime, giving Inter Miami its first 3-0 halftime lead in club history, according to Opta Sports. Taylor added a second in the 53rd minute.
3 - Inter Miami holds a three-goal halftime lead for the first time in club history (all competitions). Changes. pic.twitter.com/LZr0OX2yOb
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) July 26, 2023
Going into Tuesday's game, Inter Miami was last in the MLS Eastern Conference with a record of 5W-3D-14L.